September 25, 2021
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to all the saints. Jude 3
Possession of the Scriptures rendered the Waldensian Christians the special objects of hatred and persecution, as the church had forbidden ownership of the sacred writings. God had entrusted the apostolic faith to these who sacrificed worldly prosperity for the sake of His truth. Daily toil was necessary for survival, and children learned early that God designs life to be a discipline. While toilsome and laborious, it was wholesome: just what man needs in his fallen state. Any spot of tillable land in the mountains was carefully improved. Flocks and vineyards were tended with dedication. Attention was given to branches of general learning, but the Bible was the central focus of study. They carefully copied, verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter, the precious words of Truth. The gospels of Matthew and John were memorized, along with many of Paul’s epistles.
These humble guardians of truth kept the Sabbath along with the rest of the articles of their simple faith. But Sabbath-keeping was against the command of the church of Rome. In fear and terror, there were churches across Europe who submitted to the prevailing error and superstition regarding church traditions. Even some of the Waldensian Christians refrained from labor on Sunday in an attempt to make peace. “But this did not satisfy the papal leaders. They demanded not only that Sunday be hallowed, but that the Sabbath be profaned; and they denounced in the strongest language those who dared to honor the Sabbath.” THE GREAT CONTROVERSY by E.G. White (p.63)
Missionary work was carried on quietly. They would travel into towns and cities with wares to sell, exercising a trained sensitivity to opportunities to share a page of hand-written scripture sewn into the lining of their clothes. This practice extended into distant lands. Often with naked feet, these peasants in coarse, travel-stained garments—as those of the Master—were deeply impressed to make known to others the comfort, forgiveness, joy, hope, and peace of trusting in Jesus. Thus, in a spirit of unity and humility, the light of the Word was kept burning for over 1000 years.
Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2